KALIBO, Aklan – Higantes will take center stage in the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Festival next month, almost like the pre-pandemic times.
The Aklan Provincial Tourism Office (APTO) announced that the much-loved Ati-Atihan street event would be back on Jan. 12, 2023.
For two successive years (2021 and 2022), the Ati-Atihan Festival and its Higante contest were postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
But with the easing restrictions now, large-scale staging of events such as the Ati-Atihan Festival look promising.
The theme of the contest “Tribal Ati” features “vibrant designs and artistic embellishments that resonate the colorful costumes of the tribal groups of the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-atihan Festival.”
Higantes are giant images measuring eight to 10 feet in height, each uniquely designed by local artists. The larger-than-life caricatures are carried in a platform or cart and paraded down Kalibo’s streets for the Ati-Atihan festival.
To create a festive mood, the Ati Higante structure, its costume, props and accessories are made of synthetic and indigenous materials.
At stake is the P100,000 cash prize for the champion. The event also gives P85,000 to the second placer and P70,000 for the third placer, while the fourth placer will walk away with P65,000. The fifth place finisher will receive P60,000.
The consolation prize is P50,000.
APTO is calling for entries to its 2023 Higante contest, which is open to all municipalities in Aklan.
The detailed list of participants will be announced after the registration deadline on Dec. 16, 2022./PN
